Laos 2004 (my favourite country)

Laos has to be one of my favourite countries ever. The most heavily bombed country in the world, it has the friendliest and most welcoming people I have ever met, and is so beautiful. If you go, please don't help it deteriorate the way neighbouring Thailand and Vietnam have.
It's a real gem. I will definately go back.

Hi Thanks - Actually I was just in Laos for 2 weeks last month, now I am in Thailand, but going back home soon, once I get the photos developed I'll be putting some more up maybe after Christmas. The first time I just read about if, it seemed so remote and untouched I had to go see it. There's no where like it on Earth as far as I am concerend. All the best - Alex.

Alex, nice pictures. Like you and many others Laos is my favourite country too. Definitely worth another visit - or two.

Guest 08

09-Feb-2006 18:43

Alex,
Thank you for searching your file to come up with the picture. I am assuming that it is the last picture on page 6. The street does not look familiar to me and it may have been the changes that took place in the past many years since I left. The house along that particular street were higher, 4 levels instead of 2 as shown in the pictures. Thank you for looking, your effort is greatly appreciated. Your pictures are amazing. Keep up the good work!!

Thanks a lot for the posts guys, as requested Guest 08 I have attached a photo of those houses just for you, I hope you get to see what you were looking for. Regards, Alex.

Guest 08

08-Feb-2006 18:57

Thank you for the beautiful pictures of Laos. When I saw the 2nd last picture on page 2 titled Temple, Vientiane, it instantly brought back memories of my childhood growing up on my grandparents house along the same street opposite to this temple. The temple is called Wat InPeng if I remembered it correctly. I left Laos 29 years ago and have never been back to see and experience the changes that have taken place.
Would you also happen to have pictures of the houses along this street that you can share?

BIA VONGSWADY

29-Jan-2006 08:46

HI
I THOUGHT THE PICTURE WAS GREAT.IT MAKE ME FEEL GOOD TO SEE NOT JUST PEOPLE LIKE ME ENJOY LAOS.I BEEN RAISE IN THE U.S IT BEEN SO LONG I BEEN BACK TO SEE WHAT MY COUNTRY IS LIKE. IT A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY.I LIKE TO SEE PEOPLE LIKE YOU EXPLORE MORE OR LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COUNTRY. THANK YOU FOR MAKING PHOTO SO ALIVE SO OTHER WANT TO EXPLORE ALSO.

Guest

19-Nov-2005 18:35

I really love these pics very very nice... i love laos so much ....i miss my country laos now i am overseas

Thank you for your kind words, it makes me happy to read them and really inspires me to slog it out back home so that I can save for another trip out there. When I have the money I'd love to buy a little place out there for sure. All the best. Alex.

Beautiful images Alex..Laos is my favourite countries also..My wife Amanda, an Australian government aid worker is still in Vientiane after an 18 month stint.and I'm due to join her there late in September this year (my second trip)..The Lao are the happiest and welcoming people I've meet dispite of the country's tragic history..On the surface Lao is charming and friendly but scratch deeper it is dark..All said and done,,I'm looking forward to going back...I left my heart in Vientiane!!!!

Khob chai lai lai to all. It's so nice to read your kind feedback. By the way does anyone know the English name of that root vegetable that grows in the sand 'Mung Pow'. You can eat them like apples, only once you peel them of course!

Nou

09-Jun-2005 07:19

i'm glad that you enjoy your stay in Laos. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us, it is very beautiful, Great camera work Alex. I wish to go back, after my studies..

Thanks a lot for the comments. Hey, now is the time to see this country, in less than one year so far, there is a 5 star hotel going up and a 98'000m shopping mall and cinema, also a $1.2b dam about to start, info at www.laoupdate.com.

Terri - yeah I like the camera, great for using slide film, but I would really like a digital version too, if anything to save on the developing costs of all these images! Cheers.

troy D

09-May-2005 12:41

nice picture of lao you got here man.

Terri

03-May-2005 15:52

Hi,

I really enjoy looking at these pictures. These pictures are awesome.
I will be visiting Laos in late Ocotber 2005. I haven't been back since I
was 5 years old. I am so glad that you shared these pictures.

BTW, great camera.

Best,
Terri

Tom.

21-Apr-2005 02:08

Hey Alex.
Thanks For sharing these Very nice Pictures when I was see the Pictures make me Home sick and missed my old friends.
Thanks Alex.

Thanks, I am very happy to share them with you. I just wish I could get some more. Once I've cleared my debt I'll be straight back out there.

Annie

19-Apr-2005 02:15

Hey Alex,

Thanks for sharing these nice pictures of my country. I have not yet been home, left home like 25 years ago. I was born in Laos but grew up in Thailand and another half of my life, I grew up in America. After seeing these pictures, it made me want to go home for a visit. I also want to thanks you for showing these great pictures to the world.

No travel is not at all expensive. I don't know about right in the North, but from Vientiane to Pakse is about $14 for a 12hr trip, that is with the KriangKrai (a 'luxury' bus), it's big and red, and not very known about (from the main bus station), also the seats go RIGHT BACK and you get a movie, blanket, water and a meal. Oh it also has a toilet, which the local busses do not. As for accommodation $4-5/night will get you some pretty decent rooms. Travel is a lot more dangerous in the north, and the bends can make you sick, so flying is a cheap option too, for $30 you could fly the length of the country, in a 10th of the time, good when you've already seen the bits in between.

Noy

09-Apr-2005 12:49

Hi, Great pictures and you are an excellent photograher too. I like the pictures because you didn't just take the picture in the city but you captured most of laos's beauty. I've been to Laos twice but didn't get a chance to travel like you. Is it expensive to travel from North to south of laos?

Hi! I really like your photos, very nice picture of Laos. I hope I can go visit Laos sometime soon. Everyone I know who went there really liked it too. I didn't know my own country has such beautiful places. I left Laos when I was 6 months old like 25 yrs ago and never had a chance to go back yet. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us.

Hey thanks. No, I wasn't a teacher there but just stumbled upon a small monastery and stayed for a little while to see what I could learn and perhaps give back. The monks are just so eager to learn it's great, it does make you think about how ungrateful some kids are back home though. You will have a great time out there no doubt.

VS

31-Mar-2005 18:56

Wow, your pics of my homeland are so impressive. So were you a teacher there? I hope to take a lot of pics too when I visit Laos. I want to make a website, too.

Thanks Serena, yeah Laos is so beautiful. They do have some paved roads now, and development is definately making it's mark, I just hope the government wake up, and take positive action before it' too late, for the people's sake.

Hey, Alex, these are great! I was in Laos five years ago - only for a short time, unfortunately. Have they paved the roads now? It's a beautiful county - so stunning. It's good to know it hasn't been spoilt yet.